The effects of crude lyophilised aqueous extract of Vernonia hochstetteri Schip. Bip. in rats with pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus
Abstract
Vernonia hochstetteri (Compo sitae ), a medicinal plant used in traditional medicine to
treat epilepsy by East African communities, was screened for anticonvulsant properties in
rats with pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE). Pretreatment with crude lyophilised
aqueous extract of V hochstetteri (2 g/kg, i.p. - 6 g/kg, i.p.) increased seizure latency in
rats. Oral and intraperitoneal pretreatment with lyophilized aqueous extract of V
hochstetteri (6 g/kg) prior to pilocarpine (320 mg/kg, i.p.) treatment significantly
decreased seizure frequency and duration when compared with controls (P < 0.05).
Pretreatment with crude lyophilized aqueous extract of V hochstetteri (6 g/kg, i.p.)
decreased pilocarpine-induced mortalities compared to saline pretreated rats (P < 0.05).
At 'a dose of 6 g/kg, i.p, lyophilized aqueous extract of V hochstetteri had minimal acute
behavioral neurotoxicity in rats as determined by the position sense test and gait and
stance test. P~enobarbital significantly delayed onset of spiking in the EEG of pilocarpine
treated rats by 29.5 ± 6.35 min. (P < 0.05). V. hochstetteri pretreatment did not
significantly delay onset of spiking (15.5 ± 6.35 min) in the pilocarpine treated rats EEG
compared to saline pretreated rats (onset of spiking at 14.5 ± 6.35 min) (P> 0.05). These
results suggest that V hochstetteri has anticonvulsant principle(s) against pilocarpineinduced
seizures in rats.
Citation
Ojiambo, R.M.W(2005). The effects of crude lyophilised aqueous extract of Vernonia hochstetteri Schip. Bip. in rats with pilocarpine-induced status epilepticusPublisher
Department of Medical physiology, University of Nairobi
Subject
Crude lyophilised aqueous extractVernonia hochstetteri Schip. Bip
Rats
Pilocarpine-induced status
Epilepticus
Description
Msc Thesis